title: The red blood cell/plasma lithium ratio: marker of biological heterogeneity within bipolar affective illness?
abstract: The red blood cell/plasma concentration ratio (LR) was studied in 45 female patients with bipolar affective illness who responded to prophylactic lithium treatment. Patients were subdivided according to bipolar I vs. bipolar II diagnosis and presence vs. absence of a family history of affective illness. Mean LRs were significantly higher in bipolar II patients and in those with a positive family history of affective illness, but there was no relationship between diagnosis and family history. Results indicate that LR is genetically controlled and may be a biological marker distinguishing bipolar I and bipolar II patients, and also patients with positive or negative family history of affective illness.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers; D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D008094:Lithium